01 LS430 Key light flashing
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: AL
01 LS430 Key light flashing
Hello,
Our 01 has not being seeing much use in the last two months with the world like it is. That being the case the battery dips about every two weeks and needs a jump box for a quick start. Battery has been tested as good by Autozone. It charges quickly as well. My wife noticed tonight that the red light to the left of the steering wheel(key inside car icon) was flashing when she was walking by it tonight. She did not have the key with her, and the one we have is not a SmartKey. I went over with the key, moved the car, and then locked it by turning the key in the door. The light Kept flashing afterward.
Could this be the source of the battery drain? Is there something we r doing wrong? Could there be a second key mysteriously lurking somewhere in the car? or is this normal?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
David
Our 01 has not being seeing much use in the last two months with the world like it is. That being the case the battery dips about every two weeks and needs a jump box for a quick start. Battery has been tested as good by Autozone. It charges quickly as well. My wife noticed tonight that the red light to the left of the steering wheel(key inside car icon) was flashing when she was walking by it tonight. She did not have the key with her, and the one we have is not a SmartKey. I went over with the key, moved the car, and then locked it by turning the key in the door. The light Kept flashing afterward.
Could this be the source of the battery drain? Is there something we r doing wrong? Could there be a second key mysteriously lurking somewhere in the car? or is this normal?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
David
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 279
Likes: 42
From: FL
I haven't paid attention on my LS430, but my old ES300 had a theft deterrent system which included a red light blinking in the center dash... You know, to ward off potential no-do-gooders because blinking red light very scary.
I'd doubt a small LED with a low duty cycle is draining your battery.
Try hooking up a multimeter to measure the current draw when your car is off and sitting there. Anything more than probably maybe a few hundred milliamps is gonna be alarming. Please report back if you can.
Other than that, I'd get that battery on a tender if the car is just sitting. How long are the trips you're taking with it?
I'd doubt a small LED with a low duty cycle is draining your battery.
Try hooking up a multimeter to measure the current draw when your car is off and sitting there. Anything more than probably maybe a few hundred milliamps is gonna be alarming. Please report back if you can.
Other than that, I'd get that battery on a tender if the car is just sitting. How long are the trips you're taking with it?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: AL
I will check the smart key option.
Milliamperes DC? Would I put the probes on the leads going from the battery, and not Directly on the posts? Or somewhere else?
Trips are about 30mins in length. Battery tested “good” at autozone, and reads 13.4 when charged.
thank u both!
David
Milliamperes DC? Would I put the probes on the leads going from the battery, and not Directly on the posts? Or somewhere else?
Trips are about 30mins in length. Battery tested “good” at autozone, and reads 13.4 when charged.
thank u both!
David
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 729
From: Texas
1. Be sure to use a multimeter capable to measure low DC current (in mA).
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery and put the multimeter in series between the disconnected cable and the negative battery post.
3. Keep in mind that the LS430 will take a few minutes to "go to sleep" after you shut the engine, close all the doors and the trunk lid.
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